Proboscis Monkey - Mammals Mammals Follow It's Nature on Facebook Proboscis Monkey Also known as the Monyet Belanda, Bangkatan, or even the Long-nosed Monkey, the Proboscis Monkey is an arboreal Old World monkey. The monkey is most well known for its very large nose as well as its reddish brown color. The nose is the first thing to be seen on this monkey and that is because it is unlike any other primate nose that you will see. The unique nose, measuring up to seven inches in length, is only seen on the males and is thought to have something to do with a mating ritual. The nose does more than attract mates, it also swells with blood when the animal is angry or upset and makes warning calls louder and much more intense than other species. The Proboscis Monkey The males of this species are much larger than the females with the males being as large as 72 centimeters in length while the females are smaller at just 60 centimeters. The males usually weigh about 53 pounds and the females usually weigh in at about 25 pounds. The size difference of the Proboscis Monkey is the largest of any primate species.

Habitat The Proboscis Monkey can most often be found in Borneo’s mangrove forests, swamps, and even the lowland riparian forests. The primates are known to move easily between dry land and shallow water and they even swim in deep water. What makes these primates unusual is that they move about from island to island, and in doing so they are often seen walking upright in a single file line. These monkeys basically move from area to area as they see the need to meet feeding and shelter needs. Diet The Long-Nosed Proboscis Monkey The Proboscis Monkey is known for the size of its belly and that is due in large part to what they eat. Because of what the primates eat, its digestive system is broken into compartments where bacteria digest cellulose and do away with toxins that the monkeys ingest from certain foods. This digestive system allows for the species to remain in the forest canopy and feed on plants that would otherwise make them quite ill. Because of the makeup of the digestive system, the contents of the Proboscis Monkey’s stomach make up for a quarter of their weight!

One downfall of the system is that these primates are not able to digest ripe fruit; therefore they eat mostly seeds, leaves, mangrove shoots, and unripe fruits. Despite their ability to remain in the canopies of the rainforest the monkeys are often found swimming and are therefore picked up by fishermen and kept as pets or even captured for their skins. Due to hunting and the loss of natural habitat, there are only about 7,000 of them left the world over. The species is listed as endangered on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources’ red list. As a result, these monkeys should be protected and their habitat respected. Proboscis Monkey Image Gallery See what you can find... derzree its amazing how many animals i do not know.this is to thank you this website what a privilege to able to know and learn much about nature wow keep them out of cages! Sara The Proboscis monkey is SO awesome I even picked it to do on my report they are so interesting and what’s cool is no one even knows about them! sunraj I am very very happy Super, r.santhosh it very super, any new natural picture please send to my e.mail Yvonne Love your pics.

Too bad I couldn’t get clear shots of these monkeys the last time I went to Kalimantan. So, can I use your close-up pics of them? Tried to click on ‘contact us’ but wasn’t able to get through. :S jeanea this monkey is so cute! i ust learned this website today mujahid ali khan i have never seen such ugly animals athirah i love this pic…this animal is so interesting and we should protect them like we protect ourselves…. Reagan The monkey reminds me of Squidward from Spongebob! It’s so cute in its own way! isha squidward in mammals version. hahahahaha, they are absolutely adorable.. You May Also Like... Proboscis Monkeys of Borneo Home / Animals / Mammals / Proboscis Monkeys of Borneo Proboscis Monkeys of Borneo RM 30.00 Proboscis monkeys have been making spectacular first impressions on people for a long time. Early naturalists could not agree, though, whether the animals were amazingly wonderful or amazingly grotesque. One of the earliest reports of proboscis monkeys in the wild came from British officer Hugh Low.

As long ago as 1848, he said that the proboscis monkey “is remarkable for its very long nose; it is a very fine monkey, in size approaching the orang-utan, but much less disgusting in appearance”. Another early explorer-naturalist, Odoardo Beccari, obviously had somewhat mixed feelings about the animals. On the one hand, he said that “the long-nosed ape is of singular and ridiculous aspect”, but went on “Why amongst all apes…this one should be provided with a long, prominent and fleshy nose, somewhat hooked at its extremity, it is hard to say. According to Darwinian theory, it might possibly be attributed to sexual selection. If such were the case, we might, perhaps, cvongratulate the monkey on its good taste”. Where are Proboscis Monkeys Found?

Bornean Reserves where Proboscis Monkeys are Found Distribution of Proboscis Monkeys The Social Life of Proboscis Monkeys Big Noses Large Stomachs, Their Uses and Hazards Travel — Proboscis Monkeys on the Move Natural Predators of Proboscis Monkeys A Day in the Life of a Proboscis Monkey Proboscis Monkeys in Captivity Proboscis Monkeys and the Future Valuable Mangroves Seeing Proboscis Monkeys in Borneo Acknowledgements Scientific Names of Animals and Plants Glossary of Terms Used Proboscis Monkey - Monkey Facts and Information Proboscis Monkey Proboscis Monkey – Nasalis larvatus Introduction The Proboscis Monkey is also called the Monyet Belanda Monkey, which means the long nosed Monkey. It belongs to the Old World classification. In the Egyptian Culture they were worshipped as a very unique animal and believed to be special to the gods. Description The long nose if this Monkey is a very distinct feature that separates it from all other species. In fact, when people first noticed it they didn’t even think it was a Monkey due to the look of it. The males have a nose that is even larger than that of the females.

It is believed that a larger nose is going to attract females. The nose can be up to 7 inches long. The males can be up to 56 pounds with the females barely about 20. This difference is larger than with any other primates in terms of their size. They have a reddish brown coloring and the limbs are gray in color. These Monkeys have a very large stomach too. Distribution The Island of Borneo is the known location of the Proboscis Monkey. They live in the lower elevations of the forests and around the swamplands. They are found in the Danau Sentarum National Park where they are well protected from poachers. They are well spread out in their habitat. Proboscis monkey – Nasalis larvatus. Behavior The warning calls of the Proboscis Monkey are very loud. It is believed that the large nose allows for the sounds to be bolder than that of other Monkeys. They can live in groups that range from 10 to 30. The Monkeys don’t always stay in the same group though. They can move from one to the next frequently. This is very different from most other groups of Monkey species.

They are able to swim very well even in deep water. This allows them to move from one island to the next. It also offers them a place to cool off and for having some fun playing around. They have been seen walking in an upright position along the trails in the forest. They do so in a single file. The males create harems within the cultures. This allows the males to have several females for socializing and mating. They also help with the care of the young offspring. Diet /Feeding The Proboscis Monkey doesn’t eat more than other Monkeys but it does look like it. That is due to their body shape in the stomach region. They consume mangrove shoots and leaves. They also will consume small insects. Proboscis monkey in Kota Kinabalu. Reproduction Females are the ones that initiate mating, and it can occur during any period of the year. They will typically do so only when there is plenty of food. The young are born about 160 days after mating occurs. They have a bluish coloring to their face at birth but it will soon turn pinkish. The males will have to leave the group when they are about 1 ½ years of age.

The females though are able to remain for their entire life if they would like to. The Proboscis Monkey has a short life span in the wild of about 13 years. In captivity they may live up to 30 years. Conservation The extensive loss of vegetation has led to a steep decline in the number of Proboscis Monkeys in the wild. Today there are only about 1,000 of them that remain. As a result they are strictly protected by the government of Borneo. There are stiff penalties for those that kill them. Still, some poaching does occur and it is hard to track down those responsible for such efforts. Categories Proboscis Monkeys, Proboscis Monkey Pictures, Proboscis Monkey Facts -- National Geographic Size relative to a 6-ft (2-m) man Please add a "relative" entry to your dictionary. It may seem hard to believe, but male proboscis monkeys use their fleshy, pendulous noses to attract mates. Scientists think these outsize organs create an echo chamber that amplifies the monkey’s call, impressing females and intimidating rival males.

Proboscis monkeys are endemic to the jungles of Borneo, never straying far from the island’s rivers, coastal mangroves, and swamps. They are a highly arboreal species and will venture onto land only occasionally to search for food. They live in organized harem groups consisting of a dominant male and two to seven females and their offspring. Various groups often congregate near water at night to sleep. Proboscis monkeys are the primate world’s most prolific swimmers, frequently leaping from tree limbs and hitting the water with a comical belly flop. They’ve evolved webbed feet and hands to help them outpace the crocodiles that are some of their main predators. Among the largest of Asia’s monkeys, male proboscis specimens can reach 50 pounds (23 kilograms), although females attain only about half that size. Adults wear a coat of light brown fur that turns red around the head and shoulders and gray at the arms, legs, and tail. Only males develop the namesake nose. Proboscis monkeys survive mainly on a diet of leaves, seeds, and unripe fruits but will occasionally consume insects as well.

They have complex, chambered stomachs that rely on a host of symbiotic bacteria for digestion. Unfortunately, Borneo’s most threatened landscapes are home to these highly specialized primates. The rampant clearing of the region’s rain forests for timber, settlement, and oil palm plantations has depleted huge tracts of their habitat. The fragmentation of the monkeys' range means they are being forced to descend from the trees more frequently and often must travel perilously long distances to find food. Their land predators include jaguars and some native peoples who consider proboscis monkey a delicacy. Over the last 40 years, proboscis monkey populations have plummeted. They are currently protected from hunting or capture in Borneo and are listed as an endangered species. Proboscis Monkey - Animal Facts and Information Proboscis Monkey Posted by BioExpedition | May 16, 2013 | Monkeys | The Proboscis Monkey’s Size and Stature The Proboscis monkey can also be known as the long nosed monkey. In Malay, the animal is known as Bekantan and is an old world monkey. This animal is primarily found in South East Asia, in Borneo.

This is a beautiful Old World monkey is a very unique animal. The Proboscis monkey is quite large; in fact, this type of monkey is one of the very biggest species in the whole of Asia and is exclusively native to the continent also. There are very few other species of monkeys which can actually match the Proboscis monkey in terms of its size and strength. The males will have uniquely shaped noses which are elongated pendulous noses. These noses can be measured over 10 centimetres! The noses can hang down over the mouths. Their cheeks, throat, nape and shoulders are mostly a pale orange shade; but their legs and back are a red and grey. It’s the same with their rump and belly areas; though their tails are a shade somewhere between white and grey. Juvenile Proboscis monkeys have blue faces until they are 3 years old; but adults will have pink faces. The Proboscis monkeys have partially webbed feet so that they can swim which they do love to do on occasion. Though, in terms of their size, the males are bigger than females.

The males can weigh up to 50 pounds and be anything up to 76 centimetres in length; whereas a female is only 62 centimetres in length and weigh 26 pounds so there is a considerably weigh and size difference. Even though the females are smaller than the males, they are still in fact, a considerable size for a monkey. Proboscis monkey – Nasalis larvatus Where Do the Proboscis Monkey’s Live? Proboscis monkeys are found in the 3 nations of the island of Borneo, including Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia. Most of the time, these Proboscis monkeys can be found near rivers and coastal areas also. They are restricted to those areas; but they can be seen in swamp forests as well. Since Proboscis monkeys are good swimmers, they don’t mind being near the coast and they love the lowlands which have tides coming in. They don’t stray too far from a water source and the Proboscis monkeys are amazing swimmers. They can swim underwater as well as on the surface and they have been known to swim from one side of a river to another.

The Behavior of the Proboscis Monkeys Proboscis monkeys usually like to live in groups. More often than not, there is only one adult male in a group with a few female adults and some offspring of the females. There are some groups which are just consistent of all males; these can be monkeys which prefer the solitary life and live away from larger groups. There is not much territoriality however amongst these animals because there is a lot of overlap. Most groups will travel throughout the day together but those in their own groups will interact fully with one another. There is also no serious aggression between animals, male or otherwise because they are relaxed animals. One or two scuffles are known to break out from time to time but nothing too severe. Proboscis monkeys do make vocal communication. The male will sound loud, usually he will honk; and there are special honks for infants and calls for reassurance also. However, males have been known to sound calls when there is danger coming. Males and female monkeys will give threat calls but every monkey is very different from the next. Long-nosed monkey or Bekantan What Do Proboscis Monkey’s Eat?

Most of the year, Proboscis monkeys eat leaves, seeds, insects, flowers and fruit – mostly unripe. Though, insects are eaten only occasionally and not exclusively. There are over 50-55 different types of species of plant which are consumed by Proboscis monkeys. The monkeys tend to eat more fruits during the months of January through to about May; and leaves the rest of the year. The Proboscis monkeys will sleep in trees, nearer rivers. The monkeys will forage during the early part of the day and will later move inland. For the rest of the day, the monkeys will spend their day travelling, resting, feeding and staying alert of the dangers which are out there.

There are many dangers out there for these animals including: Eagles Proboscis Monkey (Nasalis Larvatus) - Animals - A-Z Animals Proboscis Monkey Five groups that classify all living things Animalia A group of animals within the animal kingdom Chordata A group of animals within a pylum Mammalia A group of animals within a class Primates A group of animals within an order Cercopithecidae A group of animals within a family Nasalis Comprised of the genus followed by the species Nasalis larvatus Most widely used name for the species Proboscis Monkey The domestic group such as cat or dog Mammal The specific area where the animal lives Coastal mangroves and riverine forests The colour of the animal's coat or markings Orange, Tan, Red, Brown, White, Grey The protective layer of the animal Fur How long (L) or tall (H) the animal is 53cm - 76cm (21in - 30in) The measurement of how heavy the animal is 7kg - 22kg (15lbs - 48lbs) The fastest recorded speed of the animal 24kph (15mph) What kind of foods the

 animal eats Omnivore The food that the animal gains energy from Leaves, Shoots, Fruits Other animals that hunt and eat the animal Clouded Leopard, Crocodile, Human Whether the animal is solitary or sociable Diurnal How long the animal lives for 15 - 20 years The average number of babies born at once 1 The likelihood of the animal becoming extinct Endangered Long, fleshy nose and swollen stomach Fun Fact: Natively found on the island of Borneo!

Proboscis Monkey Location Proboscis Monkey Classification and Evolution The Proboscis Monkey is a medium-sized arboreal primate that is found exclusively in the rainforests of Borneo. The male Proboscis Monkey is not only one of the largest monkeys in Asia but they are also one of the world's most distinctive mammals , having a long and fleshy nose and a large, swollen stomach. Although having slightly larger noses and a protruding stomach are defining of the Colobine (Leaf) Monkey family , these features on the Proboscis Monkey are more than double the size of their closest relatives. The Proboscis Monkey today however, is extremely threatened in it's natural environment with deforestation having a devastating impact on the unique habitats were the Proboscis Monkey is found. Proboscis Monkey Anatomy and Appearance The male Proboscis Monkey is significantly larger than the female measuring up to 76cm in height and weighing more than 20kg, both having a long tail which can easily be the same length as the body, which is used to help the Proboscis Monkey to balance whilst it is leaping through the trees.

Adults are mainly pale orange to light brown in colour with a richer coloured head and shoulders and grey limbs and tail, and a light pink face. The protruding nose of the Proboscis Monkey develops with age with infants having more monkey-like noses and older mature males having larger and more bulbous ones. Although scientists are still unsure as to exactly why the nose of the Proboscis Monkey grows so big, it widely believed to be to do with attracting a female mate as the noses of females are much smaller. Proboscis Monkey Distribution and Habitat The Proboscis Monkey is natively found on the island of Borneo where it was once fairly widespread (with the exception of central Sarawak) throughout the coastal mangrove forests. The Proboscis Monkey inhabits very unique habitats and is most commonly found in mangrove swamps, but is also known to inhabit coastal mangroves, riverine forests and lowland rainforest providing that there is a good source of fresh water. Due to their leaf-eating diet , the Proboscis Monkey has also managed to exploit a niche within these wetland forests and are the largest mammals found inhabiting the higher levels of the canopy.

These rare regions however, have been heavily affected by deforestation meaning that Proboscis Monkey populations are becoming more isolated as they will avoid cleared forest or populated areas. Proboscis Monkey Behaviour and Lifestyle The Proboscis Monkey is an incredibly sociable animal that inhabits the surrounding mangroves in troops that contain between 2 - 30 individuals and are comprised of a dominant male, with up to 10 females and their young. Female Proboscis Monkeys tend to lead the searches for food and care for the young and the male defends his troop by making loud honking sounds and showing his teeth. Proboscis Monkey troops are known to congregate together though when close to water or in an area where food is in abundance, along with at night when troops rest and sleep in the safety of the mangroves close to the water's edge. Due to the fact that the Proboscis Monkey requires a good fresh water supply such as a swamp or river, they are excellent swimmers and are known to travel across very deep areas to find food or to escape approaching danger.

Proboscis Monkey Reproduction and Life Cycles Female Proboscis Monkeys give birth to a single infant after a gestation period that lasts for around five and a half months, which has dark coloured fur and a blue face and will not develop it's adult colouration until it is 3 or 4 months old. Young Proboscis Monkeys are cared for not just by their mother but also by the other adult females in the troop, and will remain with their mother until they are nearly a year old when young females tend to stay with the troop and young males will leave to join a group of bachelor males. Although Proboscis Monkey troops tend to remain fairly stable, it is not uncommon for both males and females to move to another troop. Proboscis Monkeys tend to live for up to 20 years in the wild and are not able to reproduce until they are at least four years old. Proboscis Monkey Diet and Prey Although the Proboscis Monkey is technically an omnivorous animal , the bulk of their diet is comprised of tough mangrove leaves which are pulled from the surrounding trees.

It is because of the fact that they are leaf-eating monkeys , that the Proboscis Monkey has a large and swollen stomach that is made up of chambers containing a special cellulose digesting bacteria that helps to break down the leaves. This is however, a very slow process and means that the Proboscis Monkey's stomach is often full and can contain up to a quarter of the individual's total body weight . The Proboscis Monkey supplements it's diet by eating other plant matter including shoots, seeds and unripe fruits along with a passing insect on occasion and does so predominantly in the trees, preferring not to come down to the ground. Proboscis Monkey Predators and Threats Due to the large size and almost entirely tree-dwelling lifestyle of the Proboscis Monkey they have very few actual predators in their natural environment , with the exception of Clouded Leopards that hunt the Proboscis Monkey when it is forced to be on the ground. They are also preyed upon by Crocodiles whilst in the water but Humans are the biggest threat to this unique animal .

Not only have Proboscis Monkeys lost vast areas of their natural habitats to deforestation but they have also not adapted well to living close to Human activity and are therefore being pushed into smaller and more isolated pockets of their native regions. Proboscis Monkey Interesting Facts and Features The Proboscis Monkey spends the majority of it's life very close to water and is an adept swimmer, aided by it's partially webbed feet which help it to both paddle in the water and walk on the slippery banks. The Proboscis Monkey is very agile whilst in the trees and is also known to leap into the water from heights of up to 50ft! The nose of the male Proboscis Monkey can grow so big that it hangs down over it's mouth and has to be pushed aside to eat, however, when calling the nose straightens up and is thought to make the monkey's sound echo louder to both impress mature females and to intimidate rival males in the area. The large nose of the male Proboscis Monkey is also known to become red and swollen when the individual is either angry or excited.

Proboscis Monkey Relationship with Humans The Proboscis Monkey was once hunted by local people as they are seen as a culinary delicacy in some areas, but today the capture and killing of these distinctive animals is forbidden and has helped this situation slightly. However, people have had a far bigger impact on the Proboscis Monkey through the deforestation of it's natural habitat mainly for logging, growing Human settlements and to clear land for palm oil plantations, which has led to drastic population declines in the species over the past couple of decades particularly. They are however, of great fascination to many people around the world and have generated tourism interests in certain areas. Proboscis Monkey Conservation Status and Life Today Today, the Proboscis Monkey is listed by the IUCN as an animal that is Endangered in it's natural environment and could face extinction in the near future if better conservation measures are not put into place. Population numbers are thought to have dropped by up to 80% over the past 30 years with numbers continuing to decrease. There are thought to be around 7,000 Proboscis Monkeys left in the wild today and very few are found in captivity as they simply do not respond well to the artificial conditions.

Share This Article Learn how you can use or cite the Proboscis Monkey article in your website content, school work and other projects. First Published: 10th November 2008, Last Updated: 9th January 2017 [View Sources] Sources: 1. About Proboscis Monkeys (Date Unknown) Available at: [Accessed at: 10 Nov 2008] 2. David Burnie, Dorling Kindersley (2008) Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Animals [Accessed at: 10 Nov 2008] 3. David Burnie, Kingfisher (2011) The Kingfisher Animal Encyclopedia [Accessed at: 01 Jan 2011] 4. David W. Macdonald, Oxford University Press (2010) The Encyclopedia Of Mammals [Accessed at: 01 Jan 2010] 5. Dorling Kindersley (2006) Dorling Kindersley Encyclopedia Of Animals [Accessed at: 10 Nov 2008] 6.

Proboscis Monkey Conservation Status (Date Unknown) Available at: [Accessed at: 10 Nov 2008] 7. Proboscis Monkey Facts (Date Unknown) Available at: [Accessed at: 10 Nov 2008] 8. Proboscis Monkey Information (Date Unknown) Available at: [Accessed at: 10 Nov 2008] 9. Richard Mackay, University of California Press (2009) The Atlas Of Endangered Species [Accessed at: 01 Jan 2009] 10. Tom Jackson, Lorenz Books (2007) The World Encyclopedia Of Animals [Accessed at: 10 Nov 2008] Are you Safe? Are You Safe? is an online safety campaign by A-Z-Animals.com. If something has upset you, the Are You Safe? campaign can help you to speak to someone who can help you.

Proboscis Monkey Facts | Top 10 Interesting Facts about Proboscis Monkey Facts for Kids Proboscis Monkey Facts | Top 10 Interesting Facts about Proboscis Monkey Let’s enjoy some of the most exciting proboscis monkey facts that includes proboscis monkey diet, habitat, and reproduction. The proboscis monkey (Nasalis larvatus) also known as long-nosed monkey is a reddish-brown Old World Monkey native to the south-east Asian island of Borneo. They are easily distinguishable as they claim the largest nose among all the primates family. They are one of the largest primates, Tibetan Macaque and gray langurs being the only contenders in its size. They are endangered primarily due to the habitat loss. They are named for the drooping noses of the adult males. Proboscis Monkey Facts The head-and-body length of a male proboscis measures around 66 – 76.2 cm (26 – 30 inches), with the weight of about 16 – 22.5 kg (35 – 50 lb). The maximum weight recorded to be 30 kg (66 lb).

The head-and-body length of a female measures around 53.3 – 62 cm (21.0 – 24 inches), with the weight measuring at 7 – 12 kg (15 – 26 lb). The maximum weight in females is found to be 15 kg (33 lb). These primates have webbed toes and the stomach of both males and females resembles a pot belly. The male proboscis monkeys are known to use their fleshy pendulous noses to attract their mates. According to the scientists, these long unorthodox organs make an echo chamber that intensifies the monkey’s call, astounding females and daunting their male counterparts. The group name of proboscis is called band or harem. They are classified as endangered species by the IUCN. Proboscis is an omnivorous species. They are known to make loud honking sounds with the help of their long noses. However, females have smaller noses. One of the most creative swimmers, proboscis monkeys often hit the water from their belly. They are found in groups comprising a dominant male and two to seven females along with their offspring. Some individuals are solitary in which most are males.

The harem may compose of as many as 60 individuals. Generally, they are not aggressive towards each other but seldom aggression is often observed. Male belongs to one group can also enter into another group without any serious aggression. There may be group comprising all males. The males are known to stay in their groups for about 6 – 8 years. They are adept to swim up to 20 meters (65.6 feet) underwater. The proboscis monkey makes a stunning dive into the water when threatened. Proboscis Monkey Image Courtesy of bestcoolasia.com Reproduction | Proboscis Monkey Facts The female reaches the maturity age after 5 years. The mating season begins in between February and November. The gestation period lasts for 166 – 200 days. The young will start eating solid food after 6 weeks. Where Do Proboscis Monkeys Live | Proboscis Monkey Facts The proboscis monkeys are native to the Borneo Island and are readily found in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei. These monkeys make their habitats in coastal regions alongside rivers.

They fancy their living in coastal mangroves, swamps, riverine forests, rubber forests, limestone hill forests, stunted swamp forests, tall swamp forests, nypa swamps, steep cliffs, rubber plantations, nibong swamps and dipterocarp. What Do Proboscis Monkeys Eat | Proboscis Monkey Facts Proboscis monkeys are omnivores and they primarily feed on leaves and fruits especially unripe fruits. It is also known to consume seeds, insects, and flowers. They prefer to eat young leaves and unripe fruits. They are often found to sleep near water in trees. The day starts with the feeding and then followed by traveling, resting, and foraging again. Proboscis monkeys fall victim to predators like clouded leopards, pythons, monitor lizards, crocodiles, and eagles. One of the reasons as to why they have potbelly is that they eat low-quality leaves so much so that they have to consume a large quantity of leaves. Proboscis monkeys consume foods from more than 90 plants species.

They eat more than 40% fruits including; Flowers 2.97%; Proboscis Monkey - Nasalis larvatus Proboscis Monkey Genus: Nasalis Species: larvatus The proboscis monkey is found only on the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia. It prefers to live in the mixed diterocarp-kerangas forests, mangrove forests and lowland forests near fresh water and rivers. They live almost exclusively in mangrove forests, but can also be found in lowland rainforests. It depends on the mangroves near river edges for resting and sleeping. They avoid deforested areas and avoid human settlements. This elusive monkey belongs to the Asian langurs. They are the only member of the Nasalis genus. The proboscis monkey gets its name from its large, fleshy nose. Both males and females have the large noses. Female noses are not as large, although larger than most monkeys, and juveniles have small upturned noses. The male's are so large that they hang down over their mouths, reminding one of the old comic, Jimmy Durante. Sometimes they have to push it out of the way before putting something in their mouth.

Their noses swell and turn red when they become excited or angry. They also make loud honking sounds as a warning when they sense danger, which make their noses stand out straight. The nose acts as a resonator when the monkey vocalizes. Another obvious characteristic of proboscis monkeys are their large pot bellies. Proboscis monkeys are colobine monkeys and they have a unique digestive system that allows them to use leaves as their main food supply. Twice as large as any other colobine monkey, their stomachs are divided into compartments and filled with cellulose digesting bacteria. The bacteria help digest the leaves and neutralize toxins in the certain leaves. Their stomach contents make up one quarter of their body weight, and make them look permanently pregnant. Their ability to eat mainly leaves gives them a niche where they are the only medium sized mammal living in the canopy of the forest. They have reddish-brown fur on their back and shoulders, which ends at midsection . Their chests are creamy, with a creamy collar running around their neck and around their waist to their buttocks and tail. Their arms and legs have long, gray gloves and stockings. Orange fur covers their shoulders and a cap of darker red fur covers their head.

Their faces are flesh colored with small, intelligent brown eyes. Their ears are small and lie flat against their heads. The male proboscis monkey is much larger and heavier than the female. A male is 2 to 2.5 feet (66-72 cm) long, and weighs 35-51 lbs. (16-23 kgs), while a female is 1.7 to 2 feet (53-61 cm) long and weighs only (15-24 lbs.) 7-11 kgs. Their tails are as long as their body. Troops of proboscis monkey average in size from 12 to 27 individuals but can be as big as 60 to 80 males and females. The groups don't appear to have a lot of structure. Both males and females will move out of their natal group Their social system has two levels. One is the all-male groups. These are made up of juveniles, adolescents and adult males. Juvenile males will leave the group they were born to at about 18 months, and join an all-male group.

There is very little aggression between the males when they join together to form troops. The second level is made up of several groups which are led by separate males. Each male will have his own harem and several of these harems will come together to form a troop. Females may transfer from one harem to another when young, but the harems are mostly stable. Proboscis monkeys are not a territorial species and a group's range will overlap that of many other groups. Adult females tend to coordinate troop movement and lead groups when feeding. One of the dominant males will keep a look out in a tall tree while the group feeds. Proboscis monkeys are dependent on habitats that adjoin rivers, and usually don't move farther than 1,969 feet (600 m) from a river or stream. They sleep in trees, preferring thick branches growing over water, to protect themselves from predators. Proboscis monkeys are excellent swimmers, but only swim only when necessary, as when crossing rivers. They will cross at its narrowest point doing the dog paddle. Many will cross at the same time for protection from predators like crocodiles.

They will quietly slip into the water and swim silently without splashing so as not to attract attention to themselves. In times of danger, the whole troop may jump into the water as a means of escape. Partially webbed feet help the proboscis monkey swim and distribute its weight when walking on the soft mangrove mud. Proboscis monkeys swing through the trees and leap from branch to branch using all four limbs, moving slowly because of their weight. Usually feeding in the early morning, they will rest the whole day. Then will feed again just before nightfall. The greatest times of activity is from late afternoon until dark. Ninty five percent of their diet is leaves of the mangrove and pedada trees. They prefer immature leaves over older ones They will also eat fruits and seeds Proboscis monkeys give birth to one baby at a time. Their gestation period is about 166 days. They will usually give birth at night The newborn has a deep blue face and sparse, almost black fur. The color changes to its adult colors at about 3-4 months. Females will help look after each others infants and sometimes eve suckle other babies.

The young will stay close to their mother for about one year, or until she has another infant. Males will reach sexual maturity in about 4-5 years and females in 4 years. Their life span is about 20 years. The proboscis monkey's main predators are man and the clouded leopard. The proboscis monkeys were once protected by its mangrove habitat, which was unhabitable for people. Now technology has made it possible to clear-cut the mangroves and fill them in. Logging has caused loss of the proboscis monkey's habitat and their population is going down. In 1977 it was estimated that 6,400 proboscis monkeys remained in the wild in the province of Sarawak. It is now estimated that only 1,000 remain. About 2,000 remain in the province of Sabah and 4,000 in Kalimantan. It is listed as endangered by the USDI and Appendix 1 of CITES. Appendix I lists species that are the most endangered among CITES-listed animals and plants. These are threatened with extinction, and commercial international trade of these species is generally prohibited.

Attempts to keep proboscis monkeys in captivity have not been successful. The only place to see these monkeys are in their natural habitat, the rapidly disappearing mangrove forests of Borneo. Bibliography:

Question: The Proboscis Monkey is known for its very long what?
Answer: Nose